Means for controlling filament tension in winding apparatus



April 4, 1961 w. WEBER EI'AL 2,978,195

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING FILAMENT TENSION IN WINDING APPARATUS Filed March 2'2; 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R '4 FIG] fi I5 I C I30 /F III/Ill o mm .7

FIG. 2

. INVENTORS:- '1 L1 WOLFGANG WEBER 7-715 l5 HANS LOHEST BY.- ,M @wnl of' ATT'YS April 4, 1961 w. WEBER EI'AL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING FILAMENT TENSION IN WINDING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1956 v OI.

IN V EN TORS Z- gum/60* ATT'YS United States Patent MEANS FOR CONTROLLING FILAMENT TENSION IN WINDING APPARATUS Wolfgang Weber and Hans Lohest, Remscheid-Lennep,

Germany, assignors to Barmer Maschinenfabn'k Aktleugesellschaft, Wuppertal-Oberbarmen, Germany Filed Mar. 22, 1956, Ser. No. 573,266 Claims priority, application Germany Mar. 31, 1955' 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-45) The present invention relates, in general, to the winding and reeling of flexible material, and has more particular reference to the winding of thread or like filamentary material upon tubes, spools, mandrels, reels, bobbins and similar filament receivers, as in thread spinning, twisting and winding machines.

An important object of the present invention is to provide improved means for regulating filament winding operations so vas to automatically adjust the winding speed of the filament receiver to the rate of feed at which the material is supplied, whereby the filamentary material will be wound upon the receiver under desired tension throughout its entire length.

Another important object of the invention is to provide improved means for precisely regulating the operation of winding mechanism in order to assure unusually uniform tension in filamentary material as applied upon a bobbin or reel through the operation of the winding mechanism; a further object being to provide extremely sensitive mechanism of the character mentioned, adapted for use in controlling the winding of filamentary material of fragile character, easily broken if jerked or otherwise subjected to sudden or substantial changes in winding tension.

Another important object is to provide tension regulating means operable to decrease filament tension progressively as the diameter of the material, as wound on the bobbin, increases during the winding operation, it being desirable thus to progressively decrease filament tension, during the winding operation, in order to obtain desired structure in the material as wound upon the bobbin. In this connection, while the difference between filament tension in the beginning and at the conclusion of the winding operation may be small, the progressive decrease in tension provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, is of importance in connection with the further processing of the wound material and the quality of products manufactured from it.

Another important object is to provide an eddy current slip clutch coupling device for driving a filament receiver, and to control said clutch device precisely in accordance with the rate of delivery of filamentary material to the receiver, to thereby accurately regulate the winding speed of the receiver in order to maintain a desired winding tension in the material being wound thereon.

Another important object is to provide an eddy current coupling device comprising magnetic components adapted to be driven, to turn the same on a support shaft, including a multi-pole magnet, and a cooperating magnetic return body mounted for turning movement in unison on the support shaft, an eddy current member mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith in respect to and between the magnet and the magnetic return body, and adjustable therebetween in the axial direction of the shaft, in order to regulate relative driving slippage between the magnetic components and the eddy current member, and means to regulate the axially adjusted relationship of the eddy current member with respect to the magnetic components of the clutch, in response to variation in delivery speed of filamentary material to a filament receiver driven by the shaft.

Another important object is to provide a special regulator mechanism for adjusting the eddy current member with respect to the magnetic components of the coupling in order to maintain a desired tension in filamentary material being wound upon a receiver; a further object being to provide a feeler controllingly connected with the eddy current coupling, said feeler comprising a weighted lever mounted on a pivot and supported by a bight formed in the filamentary material immediatelyadjacent the receiver, the action of said feeler, during the winding operation, being continuously to adjust the relative position of the eddy current member with respect to the magnetic components of the clutch, in order to adjust the driven speed of the filament receiver in accordance with changes of filament length in the lever carrying bight, which corresponds with the length of filament between the supply source and the filament receiver, in order to maintain a desired thread tension program throughout the winding operation.

Another important object is to form the eddy current member with a cylindrical body portion splined on the support shaft at one end for axial shifting movement to adjust the position of the cylindrical body portions between the magnetic. components of the clutch; a further object being to provide said cylindrical body portions with cutouts, perforations, bevels or similar arrangements for affecting current flux therein as, for example, by forming various body portions of the eddy current member of material of unlike electrical conductivity, or by forming different portions of the member with walls of unlike thickness.

Another important object is to provide the feeler forming lever with an adjustable weight, or other biasing or loading means, such as an adjustable spring, in order to control tension in the filament as delivered for winding upon the receiver; a further object being to provide for adjusting the bias or loading of the feeler forming lever progressively as the diameter of material, as wound on the receiver, changes.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through filament winding mechanism embodying the present invention, and including eddy current slip clutch means for driving a filament winding receiver and a filament controlled clutch adjusting lever;

Figure -2 is a side view of a preferred form of eddy current component of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of apparatus embodying the invention, and incorporating a preferred form of filament controlled clutch adjusting lever; and

Figure 4 is a side view of apparatus embodying the present invention.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show a winding device comprising a winding spindle 11 adapted to Patented Apr. 4, 1961 3 the receiver R as the same is turned on and by the spindle 11.

The winding spindle 11 is drivingly turned in its support bearings by means of an eddy current coupling C at variable speed that is continuously ad usted tn accordance with the delivery rate of the filamentary mater al F, in order to maintain a desired tension in the material as applied upon the receiver R. To this end, the coupling C may comprise magnetic components, including a multi-pole, preferably star shaped magnet 12 mounted by force fit upon a bipartite magnet carrier 12a and 12b, which is turnably mounted upon the shaft as by means of suitable bearings, a magnetic return connection body 13 mounted upon the magnet carrier part 12a by screws 130, this magnet carrier having preferably cylindrical portions spaced outwardly of and encircling the magnet 12, means being provided for drivingly turmng said magnetic components on the shaft. As shown, such driving means may conveniently comprise a pulley 14 secured to or formed on the magnet encircling portions of the body 13, in order to permit the coupling to be driven as by means of a belt 15.

The coupling C also embodies an eddy current member 16 which may be formed of suitable metal, such as aluminum, the member 16 having a cylindrical portion sized to extend turnably within the cylindrical portions of the body 13 in position surrounding the magnet 12, said cylindrical portion, at one end thereof, forming a bushing adapted to be slidably mounted on the shaft 11 and drivingly connected therewith as by means of a spline 17, an annular outwardly opening groove 18 being formed in said bushing.

Upon rotation of the magnetic components of the coupling C about the axis of the shaft 11, by means of the belt 15, eddy currents will be induced in the member 16, which will cause it to be driven in the direction of rotation of the magnetic coupling components, thereby driving the spindle 11 in the same direction through the spline 17.

In order to regulate the filament winding speed at which the receiver R is turned during the winding operation, means may be provided for relatively moving the eddy current member 16 with respect to the magnetic components 12 and 13 in a direction axially of the shaft 11. In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for adjusting the relative position of the eddy current member 16 with respect to the magnetic clutch components, in accordance with change in thread length between the supply reel S and the filament receiver R.

The adjustment of the member 16 may be effected by a thread feeler member 19, preferably comprising a lever pivoted for rocking movement about a fulcrum 20 and carrying a filament guide, such as a roller 21, on the lever, remote from the fulcrum. By means of the roller 21, the lever 19 may be supported upon a bight 22 formed in the filament, as between a pair of rollers 23, upon which the filament may be supported and guided during its delivery to the receiver R. Suitable means, such as a weight 24, adjustable upon the lever between the fulcrum 20 and the roller 21, or an adjustable spring, may be provided for biasing the lever in a direction on the fulcrum 20 to determine winding tension applied upon the filament by the roller 21. The lever 19 may also be provided with a roller or pin P adapted to extend in the groove 18, said roller serving to move the eddy current member 16 axially on the shaft in one direction, as the lever turns on its pivot in response to the urge of the biasing means 24, as permitted by changes in the size of the bight 22 in response to variations in the rate of delivery of filamentary material to the receiver.

As shown, the magnet means 12 may comprise permanent magnet elements of any suitable or preferred character, although it will be obvious that electromagnets may be employed if desired. In the illustrated embodiments, also, the eddy current member 16 is shown as being mounted for axially shiftable movement on the shaft, with respect to the magnetic, components 12 and 13. It should be understood, however, that provision may be made, if desired, for mounting the eddy current member 16 in fixed position on the shaft and for supporting the magnetic components for axial shifting movement on the shaft, with respect to the eddy current member. It is preferable, however, to support the magnetic components against movement axially of the shaft and to provide for axially shifting the eddy current member, since, in such case, only relatively small masses need to be moved, especially if the eddy current member be made of a light weight material, such as aluminum. Moreover, the displacement energy required in axially adjusting a relatively light weight eddy current member 16 is substantially smaller than the energy that would be needed to move the relatively heavy magnetic components 12 and 13 and the driving belt on the shaft with respect to a shaft mounted eddy current member. As a consequence, a relatively more sensitive control is accomplished where the eddy current member is made axially shiftable on the shaft, the device, in such case, being well adapted for controlling the winding up of the finest and most fragile filamentary material, such as artificial silk, for example.

The cylindrical body portion of the eddy current member 16, as shown in Figure 2, may be formed with openings 25 of a size depending upon the required regulation to be obtained. Variation in the regulation accomplished by the device may also be obtained by providing a loading or relieving weight 26 on the filament feeler arm 19, at either of its ends, or on an auxiliary lever arm 27, in order to progressively and differentially offset or counterbalance the effect of the bias means 24 as the lever 19 swings on its pivot. If desired, the weight 26 may be made adjustable on the arm 27. Both the loading or relieving weight 26, as well as openings or perforations 25 in the eddy current member, may be employed in order to obtain desired regulating elfects.

Devices embodying the present invention, as shown more particularly in Figure 4, may operate to deliver filamentary material F from. the supply source S, which may comprise a storage bobbin, between takeoff rollers 28 operable to deliver the material F to the bight 22, whence it may be drawn around the guide rollers 21 and 23, thence through the guide G to the winding receiver R, in response to rotation thereof at speeds controlled by the eddy current member 16.

The filament feeler arm 19 always adapts itself to the length of filamentary material, between the supply bobbin S and the winding receiver R, so that the filamentary material may be delivered under tension applied thereto by the action of the biased lever 19 at the bight 22. Variations in the rate of supply of filamentary material are sensed by the feeler arm 19 and immediately applied in order to adjust the winding mechanism in fashion to offset or adjust the so sensed variations, and thus maintain desired tension in the filament. For example, should the rate of filament delivery decrease, the bight 22, upon which the feeler arm is suspended, will become shortened, and the arm will be turned on the fulcrum 20. Such movement of the feeler arm may be employed to move the eddy current member 16 in a direction with respect to the magnetic components 12 and 13 to reduce the effective length of the eddy current member that is exposed between the magnetic components. As a consequence, the rate of rotation of the spindle 11 may be correspondingly reduced until the winding speed of the receiver R corresponds with the rate of delivery of the filamentary material through the rollers 28.

The thread guide G may be of any suitable. preferred or conventional form, and any suitable or preferred guide actuating mechanism M may be provided for causing the same to travel back and forth in front of the winding receiver R, to thus guide the filamentary material F upon the receiver, in a desired pattern, during the winding operation. To this end, means may be provided for drivingly connecting the shaft 11 with such guide actuating mechanism. This may be accomplished, as shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 3, by providing a gear 29 on the end of the shaft 11 remote from the receiver R, in position to drivingly engage suitable transmission means T, including a driven gear 30 and shaft 31 which may be connected, as by means of a shaft, or otherwise, to drive the guide actuating mechanism.

The arrangement of the winding device, in accordance with the present invention, serves to regulate the rotation of the winding receiver, filament winding speed and consequently the quantity and length of filamentary material wound upon the receiver. The device is designed to regulate, in desired fashion, the tension of the thread as applied upon the winding receiver, during the winding operation, and, under certain circumstances, the stretching of the thread as well. Since the thrust applied by the feeler arm on the filament, can be adjusted to a desired value by means of the weight 24 or a spring, any variations in the rate of supply of the filamentary material, from a selected rate, may be detected immediately by the feeler member 19 which automatically functions to bring and maintain the eddy current regulator, at all times, in position to maintain the desired tension in the filament, regardless of variations in the rate of delivery thereof from the supply source.

An important advantage of the herein disclosed arrangement is that variations in the filament delivery rate do not act directly upon the winding bobbin, but are applied to adjust the eddy current coupling. As a consequence, the formation of the wound filament structure on the bobbin is not disturbed and proceeds uniformly.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A filament winding device for applying fragile threads on bobbins, under desired conditions of filament tension, comprising a rotatable shaft for turning the bobbin, a rotary magnet structure coaxial with and relatively turnable with respect to the shaft, driving means for rotating the magnet structure about the axis of the shaft, said magnet structure embodying magnetically connected inner and outer magnetic bodies defining a circular pocket therebetween, an eddy current conducting sleeve drivingly splined to the shaft and extending in said pocket in position inductively coupled with said magnet structure and hence drivingly turnable about the axis of the shaft, in response to rotation of the magnet structure, and means for adjusting the sleeve in the pocket, axially of the shaft, in responseto changes in differential thread delivery and thread winding speed rates, in order to correspondingly vary the driven speed of the sleeve and of the sleeve connected shaft.

2. A filament winding device for applying fragile thread on bobbins, under desired conditions of filament tension, comprising a rotatable shaft for turning the bobbin, a rotary magnet structure coaxial with and relatively turnable with respect to the shaft, driving means for rotating the magnet structure about the axis of the shaft, an eddy current conducting sleeve drivingly splined to the shaft and extending in position inductively coupled with said magnet structure and hence drivingly turnable about the axis of the shaft, in response to rotation of the magnet structure, and means for adjusting the sleeve, axially of the shaft, in response to changes in differential thread delivery and thread winding speed rates, in order to correspondingly vary the driven speed of the sleeve and of the sleeve connected shaft, the cross sectional area of the sleeve, on planes normal to its axis, having varying values in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve, to thereby determine the speed regulating effect of axial movements of the sleeve in its various axially shifted positions.

3. A filament winding device for applying fragile thread on bobbins, under desired conditions of filament tension, comprising a rotatable shaft for turning the bobbin, a rotary magnet structure coaxial with and relatively turnable with respect to the shaft, driving means for retating the magnet structure about the axis of the shaft, an eddy current conducting sleeve drivingly splined to the shaft and extending in position inductively coupled with said magnet structure and hence drivingly turnable about the axis of the shaft, in response to rotation of the magnet structure, and means for adjusting the sleeve, axially of the shaft, in response to changes in differential thread delivery and thread winding speed rates, in order to correspondingly vary the driven speed of the sleeve and of the sleeve connected shaft, the sleeve being formed with cut-out portions to vary, longitudinally of the sleeve, its cross sectional areas on planes normal to its axis, to thereby determine the speed regulating effect of axial movements of the sleeve in its various axially shifted positions.

4. A filament winding device for applying fragile thread on bobbins, under desired conditions of filament tension, comprising a rotatable shaft for turning the bobbin, a rotary magnet structure coaxial with and relatively turnable with respect to the shaft, driving means for r0- tating the magnet structure about the axis of the shaft, an eddy current conducting sleeve drivingly splined to the shaft and extending in position inductively coupled with said magnet structure and hence drivingly turnable about the axis of the shaft, in response to rotation of the magnet structure, and means for adjusting the sleeve, axially of the shaft, in response to changes in difierential thread delivery and thread winding speed rates, in order to correspondingly vary the driven speed of the sleeve and of the sleeve connected shaft, the sleeve being formed with circumferentially spaced openings therethrough, the spacing of said openings being varied to thus alter, the cross sectional area df the sleeve longitudinally thereof on planes normal to its axis, to thereby determine the speed regulating etfect of axial movements of the sleeve in its various axially shifted positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 914,998 Villwock Mar. 9, 1909 1,862,267 Honig June 7, 1932 2,193,214 Winther et a1. Mar. 12, 1940 2,237,112 Parvin Apr. 1, 1941 2,306,045 Delano Dec. 22, 1942 2,365,691 Fodor Dec. 26, 1944 2,610,806 Lathrop Sept. 16, 1952 2,774,895 Zuckermann Dec. 18, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 687,026 France Apr. 22, 1930 

